NFL Fans Applaud Russell Wilson’s Steelers Contract, Question Kenny Pickett’s Future
Julia StumbaughMarch 11, 2024
Justin Edmonds/Getty Images
Russell Wilson will sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers on a “team-friendly, one-year deal,” according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Wilson himself confirmed the news with a Sunday night post to X, just under one week after the Denver Broncos announced his release.
“Year 13. Grateful.” Wilson wrote, before tagging the Steelers.
Russell Wilson @DangeRussWilsonYear 13. Grateful. @Steelers pic.twitter.com/0U4Q2sRtXs
Some observers see the Steelers as a good fit for Wilson, who reportedly talked with Pittsburgh offensive coordinator Arthur Smith “for hours” during a meeting with the team last week, according to CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson.
Benjamin Allbright @AllbrightNFLWhile there were other teams interested in Russell Wilson, it was always going to be the Steelers.
Internally, in Camp Russ there was a lot of good feeling about pairing Russ with Arthur Smith.
Robert Griffin III @RGIIIRussell Wilson is signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers as reported by @AdamSchefter. Love it for Russ. Puts him in a Seattle type situation. Tough division, top 10 scoring defense, strong running game with a play action pass base with Arthur Smith at OC. Hate it for Kenny Pickett
Ethan Cadeaux @Ethan_CadeauxPittsburgh was probably Russell Wilson’s best landing spot after being released by Denver. Fascinated to see how he’ll work under Mike Tomlin, as this feels like Russ’ last shot as a clear-cut starter (I’m not buying a QB completion with Pickett)
Nightcap @NightcapShow_Unc & Ocho react to the BREAKING NEWS
of Russell Wilson signing with the Steelers π¨@ShannonSharpe @ochocinco
NIGHTCAP IS LIVE COME KICK IT: https://t.co/hFjcHqSvY1 pic.twitter.com/zS0imyGe3l
Others believe the signing is also a good fit for Pittsburgh.
The Steelers will pay Wilson a minimum contract of $1.21 million in 2024, according to Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette. The Broncos, meanwhile, will continue to pay him almost $38 million.
Luke Sawhook πͺπͺ @lukesawhookPeople don’t understand
Russell Wilson is EASILY the best QB the Steelers have had since Big Ben
This is a huge huge win for the Pittsburgh Steelers, especially on a 1 year deal for only $1.2 Million
This is PERFECT for Pittsburgh
Dustin McComas @DustinLMcComasI won’t pretend to know the ins-and-outs of why Russell Wilson/Denver experiment failed so spectacularly. But I’d be stunned if he’s not at least a slight upgrade over the #Steelers QB situation since Ben. Worth the cheap gamble.
Mike J. Asti @MikeAsti11Signing Russell Wilson to a one-year deal at a low cost was the most realistic and best move the Steelers could make. They were never going to give picks up and pick up a fifty year for Justin Fields, but they realized there’s no real risk to signing Wilson. If he totally sucks,β¦
Next Pro Scouting @NextProScoutsGood deal for Pittsburgh
Lobs @Lobs_All_DaySteelers will play the Eagles and Cowboys in 2024. Them getting Russell Wilson makes them a much tougher team to beat than they were with Pickett and Rudolph. Good news for the 49ers.
br_betting @br_bettingUpdated Steelers Super Bowl odds after signing Russell Wilson π
(@DKSportsbook) pic.twitter.com/W5NLgfPM7U
Wilson’s signing raises questions about the future of Kenny Pickett, who has two up-and-down seasons as the Steelers’ primary starter under his belt.
Pickett started 12 games for Pittsburgh before he was sidelined by an ankle sprain necessitating surgery.
Despite Pickett recovering before the season’s end, however, the Steelers decided to start backup Mason Rudolph in his place.
With an established veteran coming into the fold, fans questioned whether or not Pickett will get another start in black and gold.
John Clark @JClarkNBCSThe Eagles host the Steelers this year. Will Russell Wilson or Kenny Pickett be the QB? https://t.co/IyPGlK7W6U
Brad Spielberger, Esq. @PFF_BradThe vet minimum salary helps Pittsburgh frame this as a competition, but feel like you don’t sign Russell Wilson to compete.
Wonder if Pickett wants/pushes out. Had to work with an OC that didn’t deserve the gig, then gets a little dinged up and his job was lost
πππ― @TezFrm901good move for the steelers, kenny pickett clearly wasn’t the answer
Will Kunkel @WillKunkelFOXI love Russell Wilson to the Steelers. In my opinion, Kenny Pickett isn’t the guy. Wilson will provide competition, at the very minimum.
Russell Wilson will play himself into a starting job or out of the league.
Tyler Dragon @TheTylerDragonRussell Wilson is still a better quarterback than Kenny Pickett. Wilson will win the QB battle in Pittsburgh.
Wilson was “open” to signing with other teams, including the Las Vegas Raiders and New England Patriots, if they were interested and the deal with the Steelers didn’t work out, according to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini.
Instead, his opportunity will come in Pittsburgh.
After being benched down the stretch of the Broncos’ last season, Wilson will now work to re-establish himself as a starter with the Steelers.
